Mastercard Partners with Ripple, Consensys, to Drive CBDC Understanding

• Mastercard launched a CBDC Partner Program to enhance understanding of CBDCs.
• The program aims to facilitate collaboration with key players in the blockchain technology and payment service sectors.
• The inaugural cohort of partners includes Ripple, Consensys, Fluency, Idemia, Consult Hyperion, Giesecke+Devrient, and Fireblocks.

Global payment giant Mastercard has unveiled its new Partner Program to enhance understanding of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). The CBDC Partner Program aims to facilitate collaboration with key players in the blockchain technology and payment service sectors. The partners in the inaugural cohort include Ripple, Consensys, Fluency, Idemia, Consult Hyperion, Giesecke+Devrient, and Fireblocks.

Jesse McWaters, head of global regulatory advocacy at Mastercard, emphasized the pressing questions central banks must address while considering CBDCs. These encompass the private sector’s role in CBDC issuance, security, privacy, and interoperability with existing payment mechanisms.

McWaters pointed out that these issues need a thorough examination to ensure the successful integration of CBDCs into the financial landscape. Meanwhile, Raj Dhamodharan, head of digital assets and blockchain at Mastercard, highlighted the program’s focus on innovation and efficiency.

Sebastian Baierle, manager of strategic partnerships for CBDC at G+D, cited the varied intentions of different countries in adopting CBDCs. According to Baierle, Ghana’s apex bank aims to include more citizens in the formal financial economy. In contrast, Sweden’s concern is the diminishing access to central bank-backed money.

Varun Paul, overseeing CBDC and market infrastructure at Fireblocks, highlights the complexity of CBDC adoption. He says striking the right balance between privacy and transparency and addressing user familiarity are vital challenges.

It is worth mentioning that one of Mastercard’s partners, Ripple, has already ventured into CBDC development for various countries. Ripple has collaborated with Colombia, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Palau, and Montenegro. The Republic of Palau has launched a government-issued national stablecoin called PSC.